so i'm riding down at hains point earlier this week and i have this particualrly nasty encounter with someone on the lunchtime group ride.  so unpleasant in fact tha I opted to just drop off the back of the group rather than ride another second around him.  it wasn't the profanity or the incredibly hostile tone.  it was the condescending attittude.  i don't know the cyclist's name, never sought to find it out, so don't bother asking.  it did, however, focus me on what it's like at hains point during cherry blossom season.  i normally regard the pedestrians and motorists and the most serious and dangerous deterrants to enjoyable cycling.  but of late, i'm finding that my fellow cyclists are more than up to the task of assuming that mantle, thank you very much.  happened at the prior weeks tuesday night ride out in reston as well.  i got called otu for something but it became personal really quickly.  after the ride, the person came up to me and extended a hand and said "peace" and indicatde that we could be friends.  i shook hands only to be told i was stupid as the rider rode away. 

wow.  you know, when i meet new cyclists, recreational cyclists and commuters, they have a pretty universally poor opinion of bicycle racers.  i like to tell people that i like bicycle racing but not bicycle racers.  and my last few experiences are providing me with increasing reason to emphasize this.

my basic take here is that most people who are mean on the bike are just taking themselves too seriously.  the game face might be fine for the district road race but what is it getting you when you show it to total strangers on a bike path.  they don't know who the hell you are or what team you ride for.  if you ever get gapped on a training ride and find yourself saying something really hurtful, you've crossed some sort of line in terms of common sense civility.  cycling is a hobby.  you neglect this observation at your peril.  you may shrug, you may ignore it, you may disagree.  but i urge you to carefully consider this.

there is a very nice old story that i don't think is told much anymore.  back when nima was riding with snow valley, their elite team was doing some race in southern virginia or north carolina.  coming into the final corners, someone chopped him and he took a tumble near a corner with a bunch of spectators gathered.  my recollection is that nima got up, dusted himself off, and used the occasion to talk with the kids that were there about how important helmets are.  that is what it means to be an ambassador.  he could have gone looking for the guy with a 2x4 like gaggioli or a just brawled it out.  but instead, he took it all in stride.  the local newspaper had a reported there who write a really ncie piece about it and arch mckown showed me some letters from some parents who were there.

so listen twice.  you can be like gaggioli or you can show class and panache and join the rest of society in seeking to not act like a dick at the slightest provocation.  in case you're still not clear, this is not really about cycling.  this is about counducting yourself as you'd like others to treat you.